After assisting Magdalene college spectators to cross the Cam during the Cambridge University Bumps for several years, we have decided to sponsor them. Magdalene College is located just across the river from us, so it follows that they are the local team that we should support.
How will Magdalene college get on in the race?
Magdalene is a relatively small college, which can make building a team more difficult because there is a smaller pool of athletes to select from. This year, however, has been a great year for the men’s first team; on paper they are the fastest boat on the river. They begin at 9nth place overall so despite being the strongest team an overall win is unlikely, instead Magdalene plan to achieve their blades. Magdalene’s first team women start at the top of division two (19th overall), by maintaining their position they will be promoted to division one. The promotion will be a great achievement.
How do the Bumps work?
The river Cam is a narrow river which makes head to head racing almost impossible. Whilst time trials are possible today, they would have been more difficult using 19th-century technology when the bumps started. Instead, the boats start at regular distances along a three-mile course. Each team races 4 times over the 4-day event. To move up, a boat must overtake the stern of the boat in front, it’s called a bump because when viewed from the side, the boats can appear to be bumping. Bumping every day is called achieving your blades, and earns you specially engraved oars. This means that gaining more than 4 places in one year is difficult, however by scoring more than one bump in a single run a team can climb additional places.
For a more refined Cambridge boat tour, book your punt trip on the Cam today.
